🧘🏼‍♂️🤾🏻‍♀️Getting Sweaty Again: The 3rd Circuit 🚴🏼‍♂️🏋🏼‍♀️

Happy New Year, Sweaters!
**Forgive my rambling- I had lots of coffee and lots of thoughts- a dangerous combination. I need to start a separate thread so I won’t ramble here.
Hard to believe that it is January 1st 2025. I feel like 2024 flew by so quickly. My time on Lit was sporadic. My job was crazy. My fitness journey is mixed. I lost weight but I also lost strength. I need to work on muscle tone and get stronger. #goals
Also, I guess I’m refocusing WHY I’m looking to get more in shape. Within the last month, I’ve learned of two of my close friends, both in their 40s, have suffered strokes. Both have different levels of recovery ahead; one barely realized she had a stroke and the other has upwards of a year of physical, occupational, and speech therapy in front of him. I’m stunned that this happened to someone so “young” and then I realize that I’m not as young as I think I am! - it hits differently when health issues arise for people in your inner circle who are the same age, etc.
It isn’t all about just trying to look good or feel my best. It’s making sure I’m keeping myself healthy and my body working. Sometimes it takes a while for things to sink in even though these are words I’ve heard and said before, they’ve taken on new meaning for me.
So that’s where I am on this first day of 2025.
Where’s your brain at? What are you thinking about on this first day of the year? What’s your focus? I hesitate to use the word resolution because that seems to put the wrong kind of pressure on- so rather, what is your focus for yourself? If you were to write a journal entry about your body and what you have accomplished, and what you want to continue to work towards, what would you include?

https://media2.giphy.com/media/lRSRTUPL74D2EjS1N6/giphy.gif?cid=9b38fe917ufgaofdnyhcma68ha5lq67j7ywv0tq44kibp3kr&ep=v1_gifs_related&rid=giphy.gif&ct=s
 
Within the last month, I’ve learned of two of my close friends, both in their 40s, have suffered strokes. Both have different levels of recovery ahead; one barely realized she had a stroke and the other has upwards of a year of physical, occupational, and speech therapy in front of him. I’m stunned that this happened to someone so “young” and then I realize that I’m not as young as I think I am! - it hits differently when health issues arise for people in your inner circle who are the same age, etc.
Happy New Year to you! I'm so sorry to hear about your friends who are in recovery after having strokes, I can't imagine how scary that is. I've been feeling my age lately - I just can't do things like I used to. I have a knee that isn't always cooperative, especially when I skate, so that is something I am thinking a lot about as I am on break until next week for derby. While I hope to stay in decent shape, I am focusing less on what my scale says, and more on how my body feels. I'm focusing more on significant diet changes. I'm usually pretty good, but this year has been a stress roller coaster, and my health is not at its best.
It’s making sure I’m keeping myself healthy and my body working. Sometimes it takes a while for things to sink in even though these are words I’ve heard and said before, they’ve taken on new meaning for me.
It is ever-evolving!
Where’s your brain at? What are you thinking about on this first day of the year? What’s your focus?
I hate the word resolution as well. Today, on this first day of 2025, I am focused on my overall well-being. I'm not shooting for toned abs, I'm aiming to improve my quality of life- my gut health, and brain health, while incorporating physical fitness without pushing myself to to edge. I have a Bodi subscription and used to do the ballet barre class religiously, but realize now that I need something more slow, less impact, but still has strength, flexibility, and endurance, so I'm starting a program called Lava which is like a power yoga class. My legs are tight as hell from roller derby and I need to not only keep them strong but keep them flexy.

I've made the decision that running is no longer for me after my knee screamed at me during a 5k run in December. Oh darn, I can't run anymore lol. I'm also going to get my knee checked out to see if it's more than muscle tightness. I suspect I have an old injury that I've previously ignored.

There are big changes on the horizon for me and my family this year. Stress management is going to be huge.

I hope you had a lovely holiday SB!
Happy 2025! Let's get sweaty!
 
As I’ve aged, the knees have showed that they are a weakness for me. (That and my lack of discipline with food!) Finding weighs to increase strength in the knee this year without overdoing it.
Working to reduce portion sizes and bored or stressed eating as well. Should be able to see some strength gains this year.

First workout of 2025 already done! ✅ 💪
 
2025.
I am most definitely not young anymore, what a horrible realisation by the way! But, 41 years - and I feel them in my bones.

Like you guys, I am not a fan of resolutions, mostly because that leads to expectations and I really do not deal well with those.

So, any changes in 2025? My hip had been bugging me quite a lot, so in December I went to my GP - who obviously sent me to PT. 😅
Somehow I had overlooked that component in my eager training to get stronger, more agile, more flexible.. I kinda thought that I knew what I was doing.
But.. age, age does things with our bodies.

Therefore, 2025 is going to start off with some nerdy, intense, functional and healthy teamwork with my new physiotherapist.

I am still going to run, still going to exercise.. but now with a better focus and learning about my body from another perspective.

Oh.. and stress management.. Lots of that, including better eating habits?
Like everyone, I do tend to snack eat when emotional or stressed.


But overall? I am quite looking forward to this year.
 
stress management.. Lots of that, including better eating habits?

But overall? I am quite looking forward to this year
I'm working on slowing down this year. My workouts and extracurriculars are high energy and I'm learning I need to force myself to have balance. I've learned that this is a coping mechanism for me to deal with stress and everything that's happened in my life this year. Time to face it.

Also, just got my roller derby scrimmage sign up sheet in my email today so... Hell yeah! Let's goooo! 🛼🛼
 
I'm working on slowing down this year. My workouts and extracurriculars are high energy and I'm learning I need to force myself to have balance. I've learned that this is a coping mechanism for me to deal with stress and everything that's happened in my life this year. Time to face it.

Also, just got my roller derby scrimmage sign up sheet in my email today so... Hell yeah! Let's goooo! 🛼🛼

🙌🏻🥳
Congratulations!!! You are all set for 2025! 🛼🛼

I could not help smile a bit, when reading your post.. yup, I tend to push even harder when stressed, wanting to do more, manage more.. and do it faster than ever before.

Slowing down is uncharted territory for now, but luckily - I am feeling adventurous. 😉
 
🙌🏻🥳
Congratulations!!! You are all set for 2025! 🛼🛼

I could not help smile a bit, when reading your post.. yup, I tend to push even harder when stressed, wanting to do more, manage more.. and do it faster than ever before.

Slowing down is uncharted territory for now, but luckily - I am feeling adventurous. 😉
We can adventure into this uncharted territory together! 💪 😍
 
2025-More of what I loved in 2024 and less of what I didn’t.

More-There are a lot of parks and trails near me with circuit equipment and it felt like a scavenger hunt to find each one.

Less-gym weight machines. I tried, even met with a trainer for 3 sessions to learn how to use them, and they’re not for me. I will use free weights and see if there are body weight exercises to learn.

I have no choice but to focus on situational awareness while in the woods. Turning around to discover some clueless dude on my heels on a spur trail was a low point. Face planting on a separate occasion wasn’t fun either.

I want to learn to golf and play pickleball this year.
 
Where’s your brain at? What are you thinking about on this first day of the year? What’s your focus? I hesitate to use the word resolution because that seems to put the wrong kind of pressure on- so rather, what is your focus for yourself? If you were to write a journal entry about your body and what you have accomplished, and what you want to continue to work towards, what would you include?
I love the way this is framed. I like new year's because I like to look back and look forward, and it's very conducive to that. It does come with a lot of pressure to make large declarations of change though and I'm not really in for that. For one, they rarely stick, but more importantly you can't microwave progress. Small incremental change works, big time, but not overnight.

So that's where I'm at, continuing small changes to keep progress going. And the focus is on reminding myself that progress is often measured in months or years, not days. If I look back on the last month, I would not see tons of change, but over the last year? Damn.

If we want to get specific, I'll be running a marathon this year. Wild. When I started my first challenge here in August of 23, I couldn't run 5K/3 Miles. So... there's a good lesson in progress, look back over a longer time frame if you've been doing the thing and feel like it's not been a huge transformation. It probably is.

So first days of 2025, similar to the last of 2024... maybe I'll know what day of the week it is soon though. 😂
 
I did a yoga workout tonight focusing on balance. It had flowing primal movements incorporated with the yoga postures. I can't believe how stiff and lumpy I feel after holiday break 😂🙈. It felt good to get a good burn in this evening and I'm happy to be in a routine once again.
 
There are big changes on the horizon for me and my family this year. Stress management is going to be huge.
2025 is going to be a big 'stress management' year for me, too. Big changes, hopefully. Let's check in with each other to make sure we are still sane.

We can have a weekly sanity check here for anyone who wants to join in. Sanity Check Sundays? I dunno..could be a thing?
As I’ve aged, the knees have showed that they are a weakness for me. (That and my lack of discipline with food!) Finding weighs to increase strength in the knee this year without overdoing it.
Working to reduce portion sizes and bored or stressed eating as well. Should be able to see some strength gains this year.

First workout of 2025 already done! ✅ 💪
Knees are twingey. Dumb question: but do you have good shoes? I think we talked about this before but just checking.

Hooray for first 2025 workout ⭐
Like you guys, I am not a fan of resolutions, mostly because that leads to expectations and I really do not deal well with those.

But overall? I am quite looking forward to this year.
Yes, this is it exactly. Expectations get into my head, and when I don't make my goal, or my expectations, then it takes a real toll on me. I don't need any help in the negative self-talk department.
2025-More of what I loved in 2024 and less of what I didn’t.

More-There are a lot of parks and trails near me with circuit equipment and it felt like a scavenger hunt to find each one.

Less-gym weight machines. I tried, even met with a trainer for 3 sessions to learn how to use them, and they’re not for me. I will use free weights and see if there are body weight exercises to learn.

I have no choice but to focus on situational awareness while in the woods. Turning around to discover some clueless dude on my heels on a spur trail was a low point. Face planting on a separate occasion wasn’t fun either.

I want to learn to golf and play pickleball this year.
I love this whole post. Yes. I subscribe to this entire mindset.

Also, I've still never played pickleball. I want to try it!
If we want to get specific, I'll be running a marathon this year. Wild. When I started my first challenge here in August of 23, I couldn't run 5K/3 Miles. So... there's a good lesson in progress, look back over a longer time frame if you've been doing the thing and feel like it's not been a huge transformation. It probably is.

So first days of 2025, similar to the last of 2024... maybe I'll know what day of the week it is soon though. 😂
WOW! A marathon!! Well, that is a fantastic goal and that’s impressive. I am excited to follow your journey. This is inspiring. :nana:
 
Last edited:
My goal is to branch out in my fitness journey. I’ve been doing basic weightlifting for years, but I’ve never found a sport to get into. I need to get into something social, so thats my goal. Figure out what my next level of fitness will be and go with that. Im also in my 40’s, so it needs to be fun but not super high impact.
 
We can have a weekly sanity check here for anyone who wants to join in. Sanity Check Sundays? I dunno..could be a thing?
Yes it can definitely and should be a thing!
My goal is to branch out in my fitness journey. I’ve been doing basic weightlifting for years, but I’ve never found a sport to get into. I need to get into something social, so thats my goal. Figure out what my next level of fitness will be and go with that. Im also in my 40’s, so it needs to be fun but not super high impact.
That's awesome! Do you have any ideas in mind if what you'd like to play? The social side of derby was big for me in joining as well. I miss my teammates and can't wait to get back next week!
 
Hi all, I love all the posts so far this year. Good luck to everyone in getting to where they want to be.
I always start off with ideas and goals I want to achieve, but never sweat it too much, just tipping along and staying happy and relatively healthy(ignoring, to quote Leonard Cohen, that 'I ache in the places that I used to play'. 😊)
So I'll exercise, go to the gym, walk a bit more, eat and drink more than I should, and generally just carry on, smiling and not worrying about it too much. Which, for me is the best and healthiest way to be.
Have a great 2025 everyone. 😘
 
Where’s your brain at? What are you thinking about on this first day of the year? What’s your focus?

Like you, I've seen health issues surfacing in friends this last year, including one unexpected death. Eye opening.

I've been working on balancing what my body needs as far as workouts for a few years now, which I expect to continue. Weight classes, yoga, dance, and running (primarily treadmill) seems to be a good mix. The consensus seems to be that strength and flexibility work is more important as you age, but I need that cardio to level my anxiety.

Too, what patterns does my body like better? Length of intermittent fasts? Food preferences? What type of exercise it likes when?

Something else I've been looking at lately is nutritional changes based on aging. Things like a percentage of the population needs to bump B vitamins due to decreased stomach acid. Or, the 200mg increase in absorbable calcium needed starting around 50.

I'm still reeling from reading that older adults need 50% more protein than their younger selves due to anabolic resistance!

Yikes! I struggle at this point to get the lessor amount. 😂

I feel like it's so easy to just move along as you are, with what works for you, without realizing there are subtle and continuous changes needed for optimal health maintenance.

My goals this year are strength and education.
 
Last edited:
I haven't visited the tread in a while and missed this, too!

Congratulations!!!! 🎆
Thank you so much! 🥰

I reached out in a local community social media group to see if anyone knew of indoor places I could skate in for practice on days I'm not practicing with the team (our practice rink is about 40 minutes from my home), and someone who owns an indoor baseball business near where I live reached out and said I could skate there when I want, during the day when they aren't open to the public. I'm so excited to have somewhere to go now when the weather is crummy!
 
Back
Top